Top 3 Web Development Programs in Iowa 2025
Maharishi International University
42 web development graduates annually, 55% graduation rate
Morningside University
8 web development graduates annually, N/A% graduation rate
University of Dubuque
9 web development graduates annually, N/A% graduation rate
- 1.Iowa offers 11+ accredited web development programs across public and private universities
- 2.Maharishi International University leads with 55% graduation rate
- 3.Iowa software developers earn median $89,450 annually (BLS OES 2024)
- 4.Tech opportunities concentrated in Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, Iowa City
- 5.Cost of living index: 90.1% of US average (below average)
Web Development Education in Iowa: Overview
Iowa offers 11 accredited web development programs, producing approximately 105 graduates annually. The state's tech industry is centered in Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, Iowa City, with major employers including Principal Financial, Wellmark, Rockwell Collins.
With a median software developer salary of $89,450 (BLS OES May 2024) and a cost of living index of 90.1% compared to the US average, Iowa offers above-average purchasing power for tech workers.
The top web development programs in the state are led by Maharishi International University, Morningside University, University of Dubuque, each offering distinct advantages in terms of program size, graduation rates, and industry connections.
Iowa Web Development Programs Rankings 2025
| Rank | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Maharishi International University | Fairfield, IA | Private | $16,000 | 55% | 49.3 |
| 2 | Morningside University | Sioux City, IA | Private | $36,680 | — | 40.5 |
| 3 | University of Dubuque | Dubuque, IA | Private | $38,260 | — | 37.9 |
| 4 | Eastern Iowa Community College District | Davenport, IA | Public | $4,680 | — | 34.1 |
| 5 | Kirkwood Community College | Cedar Rapids, IA | Public | $5,880 | — | 32.1 |
| 6 | Des Moines Area Community College | Ankeny, IA | Public | $5,550 | — | 31.7 |
| 7 | Hawkeye Community College | Waterloo, IA | Public | $6,119 | — | 28.6 |
| 8 | Northwest Iowa Community College | Sheldon, IA | Public | $6,000 | — | 28.6 |
| 9 | Iowa Central Community College | Fort Dodge, IA | Public | $4,800 | — | 27.8 |
| 10 | Iowa Western Community College | Council Bluffs, IA | Public | $6,270 | — | 27.8 |
| 11 | Southwestern Community College | Creston, IA | Public | $6,120 | — | 26.8 |
Top 5 Web Development Programs in Iowa: Side-by-Side
| School | Maharishi International | Morningside | U of Dubuque | Eastern Iowa Community... | Kirkwood Community College |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #1 | #2 | #3 | #4 | #5 |
| In-State Tuition | $16,000 | $36,680 | $38,260 | $4,680 | $5,880 |
| Graduation Rate | 55% | N/A% | N/A% | N/A% | N/A% |
| Annual Graduates | 42 | 8 | 9 | 16 | 10 |
| Acceptance Rate | 97% | 71% | 87% | N/A | N/A |
| Type | Private | Private | Private | Public | Public |
| Score | 49.3/100 | 40.5/100 | 37.9/100 | 34.1/100 | 32.1/100 |
Best Bachelor's Degree Programs in Web Development in Iowa
Iowa offers 2 bachelor's-level web development programs. The top schools for undergraduate study are Morningside University, University of Dubuque. These programs prepare students for entry-level positions paying approximately $62,615 in the Iowa market.
A bachelor's in web development typically requires 120-128 credit hours and takes 4 years to complete. For national rankings, see our Best Web Development Bachelor's Programs guide.
Top 3 Web Development Bachelor's Programs in Iowa
| School | Tuition | Grad Rate | Graduates | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 Morningside | $36,680 | N/A% | 8 | 40.5 |
| #2 U of Dubuque | $38,260 | N/A% | 9 | 37.9 |
Top Web Development Schools for Master's Degrees in Iowa
For graduate study, Iowa offers 1 master's-level web development programs. Leading institutions include Maharishi International University. A master's degree can boost earning potential by 15-25%, with senior roles in Iowa reaching $116,285 or more.
Explore our complete national rankings of the best web development master's programs for more options beyond Iowa.
Top 3 Web Development Master's Programs in Iowa
| School | Tuition | Grad Rate | Graduates | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 Maharishi International | $16,000 | 55% | 42 | 49.3 |
Most Affordable Web Development Colleges in Iowa
For budget-conscious students, the most affordable web development programs in Iowa are at Eastern Iowa Community College District ($4,680/year), Iowa Central Community College ($4,800/year), Des Moines Area Community College ($5,550/year). These programs offer strong ROI given Iowa's competitive tech salaries.
At Eastern Iowa Community College District, a 4-year degree costs approximately $18,720 in tuition alone. With entry-level salaries around $62,615, graduates can typically recoup their investment within 0.7 years. See our Most Affordable Web Development Programs for national comparisons.
Most Affordable Web Development Programs in Iowa (with ROI)
| School | Annual Tuition | 4-Year Cost | Payback Period | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 Eastern Iowa Community... | $4,680 | $18,720 | 0.7 years | Public |
| #2 Iowa Central Community... | $4,800 | $19,200 | 0.7 years | Public |
| #3 Des Moines Area Community... | $5,550 | $22,200 | 0.8 years | Public |
Detailed Program Spotlights: Inside the Top 5 Web Development Schools in Iowa
Below are detailed profiles of the top 5 web development programs in Iowa, including admissions requirements, curriculum highlights, career outcomes, and what makes each program unique. Data sourced from official university websites and IPEDS 2023.
Maharishi International University
Fairfield, IA • Private
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $16,000 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: 55% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Web Development Graduates: 42 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 97%
- • Ranking Score: 49.3 / 100
Program Strengths
- 55% graduation rate
- 42 web development graduates annually
- Private institution
- Overall score: 49.3 / 100
Why Ranked #1
Ranked #1 based on graduation rate (55%), program size (42 graduates), state salary outcomes ($89,450), and selectivity (97% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Morningside University
Sioux City, IA • Private
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $36,680 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: N/A% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Web Development Graduates: 8 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 71%
- • Ranking Score: 40.5 / 100
Program Strengths
- N/A% graduation rate
- 8 web development graduates annually
- Private institution
- Overall score: 40.5 / 100
Why Ranked #2
Ranked #2 based on graduation rate (N/A%), program size (8 graduates), state salary outcomes ($89,450), and selectivity (71% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
University of Dubuque
Dubuque, IA • Private
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $38,260 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: N/A% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Web Development Graduates: 9 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 87%
- • Ranking Score: 37.9 / 100
Program Strengths
- N/A% graduation rate
- 9 web development graduates annually
- Private institution
- Overall score: 37.9 / 100
Why Ranked #3
Ranked #3 based on graduation rate (N/A%), program size (9 graduates), state salary outcomes ($89,450), and selectivity (87% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Eastern Iowa Community College District
Davenport, IA • Public
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $4,680 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: N/A% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Web Development Graduates: 16 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: N/A%
- • Ranking Score: 34.1 / 100
Program Strengths
- N/A% graduation rate
- 16 web development graduates annually
- Public institution
- Overall score: 34.1 / 100
Why Ranked #4
Ranked #4 based on graduation rate (N/A%), program size (16 graduates), state salary outcomes ($89,450), and selectivity (N/A% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Kirkwood Community College
Cedar Rapids, IA • Public
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $5,880 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: N/A% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Web Development Graduates: 10 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: N/A%
- • Ranking Score: 32.1 / 100
Program Strengths
- N/A% graduation rate
- 10 web development graduates annually
- Public institution
- Overall score: 32.1 / 100
Why Ranked #5
Ranked #5 based on graduation rate (N/A%), program size (10 graduates), state salary outcomes ($89,450), and selectivity (N/A% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Career Paths
Software Developer
SOC 15-1252Software Developer opportunities in Iowa with strong job growth.
Systems Analyst
SOC 15-1211Systems Analyst opportunities in Iowa with strong job growth.
IT Manager
SOC 15-1299IT Manager opportunities in Iowa with strong job growth.
Technical Consultant
SOC 15-1299Technical Consultant opportunities in Iowa with strong job growth.
Database Administrator
SOC 15-1242Database Administrator opportunities in Iowa with strong job growth.
Web Development Programs in Other States
California
Texas
New York
Florida
Washington
Massachusetts
Illinois
Georgia
Which Should You Choose?
- You want access to tech jobs in Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, Iowa City
- You're seeking lower cost of living (90.1% of US average)
- You want to work at companies like Principal Financial or Wellmark
- You prefer Iowa's quality of life
- You prioritize highest possible salary (consider CA, WA, NY)
- You want more program options (CA has 100+ vs Iowa's 11)
- You're looking for major coastal tech hub concentration
Web Development in Iowa FAQ
Based on 11 programs from IPEDS 2023, BLS OES May 2024
Web Development degree completions indicating program size, faculty, and resources (IPEDS 2023)
6-year completion rate from IPEDS 2023
Admission rate from IPEDS 2023 (lower = more selective)
Iowa-specific salaries from BLS OES May 2024
Related Resources
Data Sources & Methodology
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System - program completions, graduation rates, tuition, admissions
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics - Iowa salary data
2023-2033 occupational outlook and growth projections
Program-specific admissions, curriculum, and career outcome data
Taylor Rupe
Full-Stack Developer (B.S. Computer Science, B.A. Psychology)
Taylor combines formal training in computer science with a background in human behavior to evaluate complex search, AI, and data-driven topics. His technical review ensures each article reflects current best practices in semantic search, AI systems, and web technology.